I bought a mini 14 about 3 years ago new. I shot a few hundred rounds through it and enjoyed it. I paid $650 or so then. I sold mine about a year ago. It was very reliable and decently accurate for what it is. At times I wish I had it back. What I really wish is that I had bought a Saiga or maybe even a M1 A1 .30 carbine instead. For me, it was an expensive gun that I wouldn't use for hunting and I can't afford to fire 1000 rounds a month to really enjoy it for strictly range shooting. If that is the gun you want, by all means get it. I would offer this, though. For that kind of money, you could get two good, practical guns and some ammo or accessories to boot. I'm all hung up on a gun that I just have to have as well. Its a CZ 550 Full Stock 30-06 or maybe a .308. They are around $800. I would hunt with it if I did get it. A plinking gun is fun for sure, but an expensive one starts to wear on you after a while. If you want a .223 for varmints or such, there are much better options for less money. If you want a fun, high cap semi-auto. There are far less expensive options. The decision is, of course, yours but you could buy a nice pistol and rifle for the same money and have more versatile weapons.

I like my mini. I bought it new a year ago,get desent groups at100 yards. I think its cheap to shoot.I find wolf rnds for less then 6.00 a box.I dont get the Knocks on this gun,Ive seen people at the range doing no better with ARs,AKs etc.

I own and shoot both a 10+ year old Mini-14, and a 1 year old AR 15 (M-4) Bushmaster w/ DPMS 16" match barrel. I have both rifles set up for 100 yards and under, for self/home/SHTF defense use. The only changes I've made to my Mini is to add the compensator and folding stock. That's it. My AR is as built by my gunsmith / former PD partner, with SX 24/7 night sights. Both rifles are capable of center of mass shots at 100 yards, and both are 100% reliable. (Photos below.)

I know some will take this as blasphemy, but I prefer to shoot my Mini. Some folks have a problem with the accuracy reputation of the Mini, but quite frankly I've never had that experience. Both rifles shoot as well as I shoot. Since I do not plan on going to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, or enter any long range competition, I don't have a problem using it as I have it set up, for SD/HD/SHTF. They sit side-by-side in one of my rifle safes, and if needed, one will go to me, the other to my wife. It does not matter which. We have plenty of ammo and 30 rd. magazines for both.

Ruger has re-tooled their CNC machines, for the purpose of offering a viable option for the tactical rifle / carbine market, but I haven't fired one of those yet.

Another big + is the Mini is much easier to clean, with the gas piston system.